Dr. Sarah Rios named Medical Director at the Friends Pet Clinic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Torre Chisholm
520-784-3373, torre@friendsofpacc.org
February 18, 2026: Pima County, AZ – The Friends of PACC Community Pet Clinic, commonly known as the Friends Pet Clinic, has named Dr. Sarah Rios as its new Medical Director.
Dr. Rios brings a decade of veterinary experience to the low-cost nonprofit veterinary practice. She began her career at Pima Animal Care Center (PACC), working alongside PACC’s Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Jennifer Wilcox, at a time when the PACC clinic operated out of a single room. After helping the PACC clinic transition into its modern clinic as part of the PACC renovation, Dr. Rios moved on to Banfield Pet Hospital, where she has practiced since 2018. Assuming the Medical Director role at the Friends Pet Clinic brings her career full circle by combining aspects of lifesaving shelter medicine with accessible, public-facing veterinary care.
“I am honored and excited to have been chosen as the new Medical Director for the Friends Pet Clinic,” said Dr. Rios. “The mission of this clinic provides a vital resource and safety net for at-risk pets and their families within Pima County. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such an important cause. I look forward to building on the foundation that Dr. O'Donnell has provided. My goal is to continue creating programming that keeps owned pets out of the shelter and in the care of the families who love them most.”
Dr. Rios succeeds Dr. Erin O’Donnell, who came out of retirement in 2024 to help Friends of PACC bring the Friends Pet Clinic to fruition. In partnership with Gary Zimnoch and Friends of PACC leadership, Dr. O’Donnell helped guide the clinic’s buildout at 2661 N 1st Avenue, hired the inaugural staff, and established its medical protocols. She now passes the torch with confidence.
“We are so happy to welcome Dr. Rios to the team,” said Dr. O’Donnell. “She shares our values of doing what is right to help pets and their families, caring for our community's pets, and treating everyone with kindness and respect. Dr. Rios is a skilled, experienced veterinary practitioner and mentor, and we look forward to working with her in this leadership role. I am confident that Dr. Rios will continue to grow our clinic and our team to further serve pets in need.”
The Friends Pet Clinic was conceived by Friends of PACC to address chronic challenges in veterinary access in Pima County. The clinic is available to pets adopted from PACC, reducing veterinary cost as a barrier to adoption and helping families facing financial hardship avoid the unnecessary surrender of beloved pets. Since opening in March 2025, the clinic has already provided critical care to more than 6,000 pets. Under Dr. Rios’ leadership, the goal is to expand care to more than 10,000 animals annually.
Kate Titus, Chair of the Friends Pet Clinic Board of Directors, also praised the appointment.
“Dr. Rios is exactly the type of leader we were looking for,” said Titus. “Her combination of clinical expertise, experience with shelter animals at PACC, and commitment to serving the community make her the perfect choice to lead the clinic. I'm excited to see where she takes the clinic.”
Dr. Rios is a native Tucsonan who completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona and earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University. She is slated to begin her role at the Friends Pet Clinic in mid-March.
About Friends of PACC: Friends of PACC is the official nonprofit, philanthropic partner of Pima Animal Care Center. Its mission is to support Pima Animal Care Center and enhance its efforts to save the lives of pets in need. Their vision is that every pet served by Pima Animal Care Center is supported with the resources needed for a safe, healthy, and happy future. Follow Friends of PACC on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram.